Mark C.

Put some Deep Creep or other penetrating oil on the shaft /wheelhead and let soak a few days before the rubber mallet hitting in center

THAT Kiln is Toast-forget it.

(Some are unglazed. Traditionally, glazed bonsai pots are not glazed on the insides.) I am pretty famliar with bonsai pots-I have seen them glazed and unglazes-I have both types My point is glaze on one side will put stress on clay(hence warping) -glaze on two sides is equal stress

I have a few ideas clay has memory so if you bend those slabs during any part of the making ,drying assembly process you will get bending layer-maybe you are keeping them flat100% and this is a non issue Are these glazed at all or left bare as glaze on one side will warp the walls If the bottom is unglazed, place for supports under the Bottom exactly same thickness as feet -they can be loose (not attached )for support as they will shrink the same as the feet while supporting that 14 inch bottom. Use waster slab as the feet feet/and pot will shrink the the same as slab and not grab the shelve. 14 inch bottom with 4 corner feet is asking for trouble unless you take at least some of the above tips

I own this machine as well as well as a VPM 30 The machine need clay in it to work and fully charged it will work best. Also the clay should not be to wet will not work well or even just spin. If you need to add water do so to the left away from vacuum and shaft box.For some reason new users have a hard time with this . I think most are not charging it full enough and or to wet clay. Mine has worjked flawless for two years now. Its a joy to use-I use porcelain and mix it with a lighter fine grog body in this machine. The larger VPM 30 is straight Porcelain

You need to rewire the box and change the breakers to make this kiln work and not start a fire.

In my early adult years I did not talk to myself as I do now in my later years

(and make sure the wiring is appropriate for 60 amps) that would be #6 size copper wire feeding the 60 amp breaker box

Ok so I have a bit more time in ceramics . Clay is not all equal . Some clays are better for bending than others. We produce some slab baking dishes (like 12x 16 rectangles). The clay rolled out with a slab roller . Then pushed into a plater mold-the sides are just under 3 inches deep (or about 7 centimeters). We use a blend of open fine groged porcealin mixed with my throwing porcelain about 50/50 mix. Most clays will crack with type of bending. The fine grog is the key to this-that clay is 1/2 porcealin 1/2 fine groged white clay and then I mix it with my other porcealin to get ot so slab bend and form wear most porcealin will not do any of this.. The grog also helps with thermo shock . The wetness of the clay matters and does how it rolled out. My power slab roller is two rollers compressing each side as it goes thru. There are many factors here if your clay is to short meaning it will not throw tall or cracks at bending then slab bending will not work. Short clay comes from many factors but aging helps and the right clay helps. Most earthenwares are not great as they are pretty tight bodies (not loose say with sand or grog) Stonewares are usually better for slab work depending on makeup of ingredients A bit more info on how you are rolling and what type of clay body would help Since you are in India your additives will be different than say what have access to. I think of clay there as red and white earthenware and maybe stoneware as well. but the closest I have been is Cambodia and it was just about all red clay.

Denice if it helps I'm bringing in a new to me 18cubic foot Giel downdraft this spring/summer. I need to pour a slab and up my 2 inch gas service . The kiln is about 15 miles away -I found it about 10 years ago used in LA for a potter friend (he was a hobbist but at a high level) I already bought him a kiln (electric I found in AZ from some of my customers) and ran some gas pipes for him. He was sitting on the fence about this Geil and I at that time said you buy it or me take your pick. I really wanted a 24 cubic footer as that a better fit as my car kiuln is 35 my updraft is 12 and 18 is a bit odd and beside Geil on some modela like this oine uses shelve sizes that are non standard (I love and use advancer 12x24 and this Geil is set up for 14x28 and us oldies say to big to heavy.Anyway he tased few years back afterv two fires (it really was to big for him as his one of a kind works just takes to long to fill that kiln. The thing is he buildt a kiln room around it and made it so it could come apart (the room is sheet rocked and insulated ) so I nee to take that apart and move it onto a trailer after supported the ach (its all soft brick) with a fork lift most likley as the road is private and really small and out in the boonies. Then trailer it to my place on a steep hill and unload it and get it thru my 8 foot gate under my 7 foot (low spot) metal roofed area. That is filled up and shoe horn it onto a slab. . It maybe be possible to use a small mini fork lift for that as long as it has 5 foot fork extensions which are harder to find. The space it is going in is very tight with uprights holding the large 24 x 30 roof up. Once its in. I need to cut a hole in metal roof to vent it and change orfices back to Natural gas. I cleaned out this potters shop for his widow a few yaers ago and this is the last large item.I was on the fence as Denice says (I thought long and hard on whether it was a sensible thing to do at my age it invest in new equipment at my age) and I came to the conclusion that another 6-7 k on a kiln that saves gas(big deal these days out here in high gas priceland and is smaller and has all the furniture included and has a few auto features like set and hold so I can sleep as it gaining temp and stop and hold at whatever I set (the older Geil DD system-simple) I gave it a green light recently after lots of thought

The two month mandatory after xmas break is a must -I have had one for over a decade or two. Of course my business has always had a large xmas sales exposure especially in Dec with a huge fair in Az the 1st weekend for 24 years then my own sales booth two weeks before the 25th and all my outlets selling strong that month. I used to have a big number $$$ in my head to make every December and I always made it and usually surpased it. By the 25th I'm toast. This coming year will much easier no xmas sales booth and I stopped that huge out of state show 5 years ago. My local outlets will be all for me now this xmas. Looking forward to doing much less and Not firing in December. This year is my biggest transition year -I'm on a few months then off a few months-trying to find the sweet spot to cover what bases I need and not work much extra.I have a large twice a year order to cover. Not that long ago I did NO wholesale now its nearly 1/3 to1/2 of the pie. Same with the other older potters I know as well.More wholesale less shows as we age.

Shimpo USA is still in business mybe a old fashion phone call is in order?

I turn 70 on the 15 of March. Pottery full time since 1976 for the most part Yes a few jobs as an electrican and a plumber and a commercial diver but the most part its clay bringing in the income..I consider myself a full timer and am was simi retiring slowly (started at 64) until this coming year we are in. I married quite late in life (mid 90s) and my wifes state insurance has helped a lot but that said its my income that has paid most of my way thu my life so far. Pottery has been brutal on my hands /wrists. Yes back issue as well but knock on wood good last 20 years. Its kept me strong and worn me down at same time. (On the topic of your body being able to do the work) one needs to think about this a bit . I read these discussions with very mixed feelings. And coming from a place of knowing whats needed and what the cost will be on oneself i have a different take on things. Mea points this out well. I agree with most of Josephs statements although I never considered scaling up or even being in business-it was all an organic process not thought about much in the old days.It jusat happened from the love of making and firing pots. I did have a slip cast friend who scalled up and I saw maganaging people was not for me in the 80s Most I have learned are just not cut out for the production side of things . The next is sticking it and out figuring it out over time. This takes time and 10-20 years is not what most are willing to give. The body not holding up to the work is another big one. It's the individual that holds the key -do thay have what it takes to cut thru all the above and become successful ? A few points for me are It has never been a hobby-as a collage kid coming out of school and working in clay I did not have the money or time to play with clay as a hobby so I have see the hobby part as a detriment to those doing that thinking wow lets make some $$$ at this-this will not be full time in so many ways The success is a judgment call on so many levels-as noted a few extra $$ is all that needed or expected is fine for some and falls short for others. What I made in the 70s-80s is not ok in the 90s-2000s-sure it paid the bills and house payments but I just got by for a long while. Now a show thats 6k for me is a disaster and not worth doing-back then it was on fire so thats a moving target as well. All this knowledge takes so much time to learn meanwhile your body is slowing getting ground down. That's a fact If one wants to sell a few pots on instagam and feel like its full time I say go for it. But I know whats thats about -more the hobby deal as an upgrade If one want to sell 6 figures a year I say go for it as I really know whats that about as well My suggestion and its really been thru dumb luck is find a few good people to help you if you want to go big and long. In my case they found me about 30 years ago and are just part timers and help me out in so may ways. They also have been with me that whole time (one is thrower 6 hours a week) The other is a do it all studio assstant doing whats needed when needed and she has been terrific . Its been possiable to stretch this into a 50 year career body wise. You need to pay them well to keep them by the way and share in the sucesss as it comes-more pay Its worked for me so know its possiable Whats my biggest unknown in my future is wrist fusion ,so Neil pay attention now and give it real thought.

Baking soda in a sealed bag and time-also one can put it all in freezer to speed it up

There is two kinds of Pin Holes innie and outie. the outies are usally sharp and nasty. What kind where these pin holes. Pinholes are flaws in glazes not something one wants to see.

I have a venmo accout but never use it. Venmo is owned by PayPal (I am not a paypay fan) and for now is a cheap Peer to Peer APP although they say it not very secure and really should be only used for friends and family you know. People use venmo for the rock bottom pricing (especially at farmer markets I have found). If you read up on security all apps are not a secure .Something to ponder. My guess is soon payPal will raise fees as that is what they do best. A more secure app I feel is Square and I have used it nearly since inception in 2010. I like it and used to use my phone for year or two with it but in past 10 years I use a small iPad to capture cards. My business is less than30 % CC sales (last year was 37K in card charges as I'm slowing down in show sales and only had a few shows ) Square jusr bought up Weebly web sevice as well. Square has worked flawless for me and I recommend it . As noted above by DirtRoads its 25 cents a swipe and low fee flat rate for all types of cards which especially with rewards cards these days matters as they usually are vey high in fees. I use the the chip /tap reader (wireless) with my square setup. Its been a joy.

I have a huge ceramic library but these days it little used.I was downsing a bit last month and even sold a few books to lighten my shelves. I do use the web a bit but mostly just refer to my collage glaze book I made in the early 70s for new glazes and references I have fought the rutile pitting monster more in the last year than I ever have and did lots of looking for answers really with zero results other than the usual suspects .Clean bisqware (of course) not to much reduction (of course ) and the right thickness of glaze (of course ) and the slow glaze mets at the end 9last fore was 17 hours. Still the rutile pit monster is on my back. I have worked with my base ruticle fglaze for over 4 deacdes so I know a bit about that monster. I of couse remixed the glaze a few times and changed clays and alter firing schedules all for not. I was hoping this year would the pit monster may keep its distance but in last 4 glaze fires its back. So today when starting to load a bisque I installed a new oxy probe in car kiln thinking that the reduction may be off with a wonky meter. (I have 4 of those oxy probes) two are installed in kilns and two are at the ready (bought them used for a deal) you have to look long and hard to find a used one. Then send it for new platinum wire. So they are in top shape. Cone 11 fires over time puts a hurt on them and all things refractory for that matter.

(People send me stuff via email and this was one of those things-I have never tried them but This person likes them. The idea is they are light and would be lighter than my paster.) No bill But I did suggest coating them with finish if one uses them.

Off topic but my best deeper dives are underwater with a camera

I have always belived women like to buy from Women. My sales has proven this many times. I may be the maker but I'm not the best seller. The other point is when I have a helper man or women the sales are always better. This can be its own topic really

Once you find your choosen body you could have them order it for you drop shipping by barge to Kauai via Young Brothers via Honolulu

People send me stuff via email and this was one of those things-I have never tried them but This person likes them. The idea is they are light and would be lighter than my paster. That said I love my paster as the bottoms dry at same speed as tops so production is fast. wiring off pots and filping they to dry is not a production tool for me. When My plaster gets to much I will consider it. I throw a lot of forms up to 80-100 a day on 6 inch small homemade plaster (mini pie tins are the form ) bats. They are 6 across on top and about 5 on bottom. I use them on wooden ware boards.With plaster we can process the pots all in same day-handles -trimming -everything. Plaster is what makes this work. Its works when I'm working on other forms no need to flip any forms to dry bottom. Its like rust it never sleeps Woodpecker crafts-looks to be in Florida-free shipping over $75-goggle discount code and you may save more They make these in all sizes 3-7-9-12 and larger and they are pretty cheap especailly if you by some (not one).You need to mouse around the site to see what other sizes and thinkness they sell. If you finished them with something they would last a long time https://woodpeckerscrafts.com/7-circle-wooden-cutout-1-4-thick/?_ga=2.61608876.1219828974.1678153090-1016357538.1678153090&_gac=1.94678766.1678153121.CjwKCAiAu5agBhBzEiwAdiR5tK7lqRyZj4fTw-oCLdl9mfwPoGiAC9QebcySGbjSJw-9e9l2a7EFWhoCBXMQAvD_BwE The bigger question is how the woodpeckers make them round?? May be a good question of the week?

Just for the record -I have been pretty successful in ceramics over a 50 year period. I do not use social medial for any advertising in fact I distain it on any of my own social sites I think in todays world starting up with clay some may help but its a maybe will help deal.

Shipping will be your biggest issue to Kauai. Is there a clay supplier again in Honolulu .?The last one retired and i have not heard aboud a new one.

Medium-density overlay board (MDO) has a similar, smooth surface about 1⁄ 16 " thick on each face, bonded to a plywood core. never used it but it looks good not to be confused with MDF I throw on plaster 90% medex (Northstar sent me these free to try when they where testing them long ago) and blue plastic northstar bats and some formica bats homemade about 10%.(plates platter larger forms which I'm getting out of slowly) I have some Masonite bats that I only use to dry forms on as they warp when wet so I keep them dry-not a Masonite bat fan Tip of the day. You can now buy from cheaper crafts outlets(online) those MDO circles precut-you just need to drill them